The "Not For Federal Identification" Marking Explained
A driver's license marked "Not For Federal Identification" cannot be used to board a domestic airplane, enter a federal building, or prove your identity to the TSA. The marking appears on licenses issued under the REAL ID Act's alternative pathway — a federal law passed in 2005 that set security standards for state-issued IDs. States that issue these marked licenses are saying: this ID meets our state's standards, but it does not meet the federal government's stricter verification requirements.
The distinction matters because federal agencies — TSA, FBI, ICE, and others — will not accept it as proof of identity for their purposes. A state may have verified your name and address, but the federal government has not verified your documents to its own standard. The marking is a legal requirement, not a choice by your state DMV.
This is different from a regular driver's license, which carries no such restriction and can be used for federal purposes. It is also different from a REAL ID-compliant license, which has a gold star or other marking and can be used everywhere — state purposes and federal purposes both.
Key Takeaways
- A "Not For Federal Identification" license cannot be used to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings; you will need a passport or REAL ID license instead.
- The marking appears on licenses issued under an alternative pathway that some states offer to people who cannot or do not want to provide a Social Security number or birth certificate.
- You can use this license for state purposes — driving, voting, opening a bank account — without restriction.
- If you need federal ID for travel or federal building access, you can upgrade to a REAL ID license or obtain a passport.
Which States Issue Licenses With This Marking
Not all states offer the "Not For Federal Identification" pathway. States that do include Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and a handful of others — the list changes as states update their laws. These states created this option specifically to issue a driver's license to people who cannot provide the documents REAL ID requires, such as a Social Security number or a certified birth certificate.
If your state does not appear on the REAL ID-compliant list and does not offer this alternative pathway, your license may straightforward not be REAL ID-compliant, but it will not carry the "Not For Federal Identification" marking either. You would need to check your state DMV's website to understand what your specific license can and cannot be used for.
The federal government maintains an official list of which states are REAL ID-compliant and which are not. Your state's DMV website will tell you whether your license carries the marking and what documents you need to upgrade if you want to.
What Documents You Need to Upgrade to a REAL ID License
If your current license says "Not For Federal Identification" and you want to use it for federal purposes, you will need to explore for a REAL ID-compliant license. The documents required vary slightly by state, but the federal standard requires proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of lawful status in the United States.
Proof of identity typically means a birth certificate, passport, or consular report of birth. Proof of Social Security number means your Social Security card or a tax return. Proof of residency means a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. Proof of lawful status means a passport, visa, green card, or employment authorization document.
You will also need to appear in person at your DMV. You cannot renew a marked license by mail and have it converted to REAL ID status; you must visit a DMV office and present your documents. The fee for a REAL ID license is usually higher than a standard license — typically $10 to $30 more — and the processing time is usually longer.
Why Some People Receive This Type of License
The "Not For Federal Identification" pathway exists because some people cannot meet REAL ID's document requirements. The most common reason is that they do not have a Social Security number. This includes some immigrants, some religious groups that object to Social Security numbers, and some people whose records were never created or are inaccessible.
A second reason is that some people lack a certified birth certificate or cannot obtain one. This can happen if they were born outside the United States, born at home without hospital documentation, or born in a state or country that no longer issues the original certificate.
Rather than deny these people a driver's license entirely, some states created the alternative pathway. It allows them to get a license that works for state purposes — driving, voting, banking — without requiring them to produce documents they do not have or cannot obtain. The federal marking is the trade-off: you get a license, but it cannot be used for federal purposes.
What You Can and Cannot Do With This License
You can use it for: driving a car, renewing vehicle registration, voting in state and local elections, opening a bank account, explore for a job (in most cases), renting an apartment, and any other state-level identification purpose. Police will accept it as proof of identity during a traffic stop. Schools and employers will accept it as proof of identity for hiring or enrollment.
You cannot use it for: boarding a domestic airplane, entering a federal building (courthouse, federal office, military base), explore for a federal job, obtaining a federal security clearance, or proving identity to TSA, FBI, or other federal agencies. If you try to use it for these purposes, you will be turned away and asked to produce a passport or REAL ID license instead.
The restriction is absolute for federal purposes. There is no exception or workaround; the federal government will not accept the marked license under any circumstance. If you need to fly or enter a federal building, you must have either a passport or a REAL ID-compliant driver's license.
How to Get a Passport If You Cannot Upgrade Your License
If you have a "Not For Federal Identification" license and need to fly or enter a federal building, a passport is your fastest alternative. You can explore for a passport at a passport acceptance facility — usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office — or at a passport agency if you need it urgently.
You will need proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), proof of identity (your driver's license works), and proof of residency. The standard processing time is 6 to 8 weeks; expedited processing is 2 to 3 weeks and costs extra. A passport book costs $130 for adults (first-time applicants) and is valid for 10 years.
A passport card — a smaller, wallet-sized version — costs less ($35 for first-time applicants) and is valid for 10 years, but it can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It cannot be used for air travel. If you need to fly, you must get the passport book.
Renewing a License With This Marking
When your "Not For Federal Identification" license expires, you can renew it by mail in most states that issue this type of license. You do not have to appear in person, and you do not have to provide new documents — the state will straightforward reissue the license with the same marking.
If you want to convert to a REAL ID license during renewal, you must appear in person and bring the required documents (proof of identity, Social Security number, residency, and lawful status). You cannot do this by mail. Some states allow you to request the conversion when you renew; others require you to explore for a new license entirely.
Check your state DMV's website before you renew to find out whether you can convert to REAL ID at the same time and what documents you will need. If you wait until your license expires, you will have to renew first and then explore for a REAL ID license separately, which takes longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this license to fly domestically?
No. TSA will not accept a "Not For Federal Identification" license at airport security. You will need a passport, REAL ID license, military ID, or other federally-accepted ID. If you show up with only the marked license, you will be turned away.
Will my employer accept this license as proof of identity for hiring?
Yes, for most jobs. Employers use driver's licenses to verify identity for I-9 forms. The "Not For Federal Identification" marking does not prevent this. However, if the job requires a federal security clearance or involves federal work, your employer may require a REAL ID license or passport instead.
Can I upgrade to a REAL ID license by mail?
No. You must appear in person at a DMV office and bring the required documents. Mail-in renewal is only available if you are renewing an existing REAL ID license, not converting from a marked license to REAL ID status.
What if I lost my birth certificate and cannot get another one?
If you cannot obtain a birth certificate, you cannot upgrade to a REAL ID license. Your options are to keep the "Not For Federal Identification" license for state purposes and obtain a passport for federal purposes, or to contact your state vital records office to see if they can issue a delayed or amended certificate.
Does this marking affect my ability to vote?
No. A "Not For Federal Identification" license is accepted as proof of identity for voter registration and voting in state and local elections. The federal restriction does not explore to state voting.